2006 Arctic Cat ATV maintenance?

Please move to a different forum if one is more appropriate...

So, I inherited a 2006 Arctic Cat 400 ATV 4wd with my dad's estate. I was in the market for a new ATV in the 400-500cc range anyway, but didn't want one this way.

Regardless, it is now mine. It has just over 400 actual miles on it. He added a snow plow and used it just for plowing snow around his ten acres and setting targets.



But despite the low miles, they were hard miles and my dad was notoriously bad for doing maintenance on vehicles. I am certain that it has never been serviced or the oil changed since new.

I was just going to sell it and buy a new Yamaha Kodiak 450, but apparently ATVs are impossible to find now.

So, it looks like I am stuck with it for the time being.

Does anyone know anything about these machines? I'm sure it has a drive belt, and the last time I drove it to plow snow (picture above) the shifter was tough to engage from drive to reverse, and vice versa.

I put fresh ethanol-free gas in it, but it needs a battery and likely an oil change. Anything else I should be checking or changing?

 

I'm sorry about your loss.

As for the ATV, you might try asking in this thread or asking a mod to move this post over there. It is the most active one I've seen for ATVs. Good guys that will give the knowledge if they have it. https://www.tundras.com/threads/atv-utvs-and-accessories.11498/

 

Overall - ATVs are pretty much the same as any other engine. I’d start with a flush of coolant and oil - put a little SeaFoam in with fresh oil - run it a few weeks and change oil again.

Fresh filters (air, oil and gas) and replace the belt and make sure to grease all fittings and make sure everything that needs lubed is lubed.

Yea - ATVs are seemingly out of favor these days - everyone wants a SxS. I accidentally now have 2 - a 2016 Artic Cat 500 and a 2002 Polaris 700. The AC was honestly a fluke - was down at a local salvage auction site for work one day - saw The seemingly unwrecked 4 wheeler and ask what the deal was - told me it was a repo - bank had repo’d it and it had cosmetic damage (cracked plastics and bent up front rack) - so turned it in to collateral protection and they totaled it and send to auction to get rid of. Stupid me bid a few hundred thinking worst case - I win and could flip it. Well I did and it sits in my barn.

The Polaris is a “gift” from my former tenant/sister - she took off and left any piece of crap she couldn’t sell or move in her car - including the Polaris. Tried to fire it up the other day - it starts, but sounds like it needs injectors again. Another project to play with one day I guess.

Overall - I actually still prefer a 4 wheeler for certain task. Clearly things like going out to fix fence a UTV does better at - but just riding down into the backwoods or old logging trails - smaller/less weight is better to me. Of course the prevailing mindset of some is they “need” a 1200cc motor - ability to go 85 and do it with a passenger beside them. Myself - I still see plenty of uses for ATVs - but the market is thin these days.

 

Pretty simple motors. Carb rebuild, fluid changes. Check the valves and adjust lash if needed. Hit up the AC forums and see for the transmission but if it’s anything like the Polaris, new belt, clean the sheaves, blow out the clutch dust. ATV’s are pretty basic machines.

As for the atv//utv. I own both. A Yamaha Warrior and an rzr xp4. It’s nice being able to take the family crawling or just riding around the lease and it’s easier to do work out of. But the warrior is a lot more fun in the tight twisty trails. They both serve their purpose.